Jan. 5, 2013

The Teaberry Port, a Dutch Colonial historic home built by Resolvert Stevens in West Nyack, was falling apart due to neglect. The original home, which has had some additions put on the structure, was built with sandstone walls. / Submitted photo

Demolition began on the Teaberry Port House in November. The house sits on United Water property and was last inhabited in 2006. John Meore/The Journal News / John Meore/The Journal News

How to donate

The recent demolition of a historic building in Clarkstown and fears about the future of another have prompted the creation of a fund that will provide money to historical societies to help preserve Rockland’s past.

The Rockland Community Foundation, an umbrella organization that has funds in its portfolio to benefit various charities, has created the Rockland Historic Preservation Fund. Private individuals and businesses can donate money to the fund, which will be managed by the foundation and channeled to historical societies for the purpose of preserving historic buildings in the county.

“We recognize there is a nonprofit need to respond to historical groups that don’t have support,” said Susan Lynn, head of development for the fund.

Several board members of the Rockland Community Foundation moved to create a historic preservation fund after the 1774-built Teaberry Port was demolished in November because it was deteriorating. Concerns were also raised about the state of the Clarkstown-owned Vanderbilt House, the second oldest structure in the county.

In both cases, there was no money to preserve the buildings, said Lynn. Given the state of the economy and the lack of state and federal funds to restore historic buildings, the fund is an important step, she said.

The fund, which was created last month, has already received its first donation of $500 from Clare Sheridan, president of the Historical Society of Rockland County. And supporters hope more will come.

“It’s a wonderful step in the right direction,” Sheridan said of the fund. “I am happy to see it was so quickly brought together.”

Westchester County does not have a comparable fund, said Katie Hite, executive director of the Westchester County Historical Society. The Westchester Preservation League was tasked with raising money but the body was absorbed into the historical society after the league found its membership falling and historic preservation too costly.

“It’s a hard nut to crack,” she said.

Currently the society advocates for historic preservation and tries to bring together owners of historic homes and private groups who want to help preserve them.

In the coming weeks, the Rockland Historic Preservation Fund will reach out to the 15 historical societies in Rockland and let them know project funding will be available in the coming days.

It hopes businesses will start making tax-deductible contributions to the fund once they know that all money donated will remain in the county. In the past businesses have donated generously, canceling holiday parties and using the money for charity, or making a direct contribution to causes.

“Donations will usually follow if we can make the case that there is a need,” she said.